"The American Joes" by novelist Don Otey reveals the plan of a small group of modern-day patriots who vow to return the country to the federalist principles of its Founding Fathers. Working over decades, these men and the proteges they groom have worked peacefully from within to return the government to conformance with the U.S. Constitution. In constant fear of exposure, they move slowly to reverse the trend toward socialism and big government. The quintessential hero of the novel is 'the American Joe' personified by four dedicated achievers. Their initial foes are domestic and international special interests, but they soon find the greatest threat of all is from within-corrupt, self-serving politics. Written in tense, nail-biting prose, this political thriller could be ripped from today's headlines. It is a cautionary tale that puts the reader on guard to a basic truth: each one of us shares the responsibility for insisting on a return to the principles that made our country great.